Education Completion Gaps examines the significant educational disparities affecting LGBTQ students, revealing lower high school and college completion rates compared to their non-LGBTQ peers.
The book investigates how factors like social stigma, discrimination, and inadequate institutional support contribute to increased dropout rates and hinder college enrollment and graduation.
Notably, LGBTQ students facing bullying and harassment are at higher risk of dropping out, while supportive policies like Gay-Straight Alliances can improve outcomes.
The book adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from education, sociology, and psychology to explore the complexities of educational equity.
It begins by outlining the historical context of discrimination before analyzing current research on dropout rates and college enrollment trends.
The book then progresses through an examination of risk factors, a review of institutional policies, and a comparative analysis of college outcomes.
This work is particularly valuable due to its exploration of intersectionality, highlighting how race, class, and gender combine to exacerbate educational disparities within the LGBTQ community.
By synthesizing quantitative data from national surveys with qualitative insights from LGBTQ students and educators, the book offers a comprehensive framework for fostering more inclusive and supportive educational environments.